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Selected:SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)Impact MappingVRIO FrameworkGAP Analysis
Criterion
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of a branching impact map with a Why goal at the root, actor circles, How behavior changes and What options.
Product Strategy
Impact Mapping
Paper illustration of VRIO Framework with its method-specific working model.
Business Strategy
VRIO Framework
Gap Analysis method illustration showing its working structure
Business Strategy
GAP Analysis
Purposedifferent
SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning.When a goal needs to be connected to several possible paths, it shows chains of impact instead of feature lists. It connects business goal, behavior change, and measures.The VRIO Framework rates resources and capabilities on whether they are Valuable, Rare, Inimitable, and Organized. It compares strengths, risks, market logic, and courses of action. The result is captured as a VRIO table and strategic actions.GAP Analysis compares the current state with a target picture and makes the distance manageable. It becomes useful when, ahead of new initiatives, it must become clear which capabilities, processes, or resources are missing.
Complexitydifferent
HighMediumMediumMedium
Timedifferent
Preparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scope45-90 min90-180 min1-3 h
Participantsdifferent
Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting3-83-62-8
Formatdifferent
Workshop + asyncWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Domain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternativesImpact Map, Outcome Hypotheses, Delivery OptionsVRIO Table, Strategic ActionsGap Matrix, Action Plan, Risk Notes
Tagsno overlap
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
OutcomesStrategyBehaviorPlanning
StrategyDiagnosisBusiness modelCapability
StrategyAnalysisPlanning
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